Headline Numbers
Top party in each age groupGrouped Bar Chart — All Age Groups
Voting intention % by age cohort, May 2026Full Age Breakdown Table
| Age Group | Labour | Reform | Con | Lib Dem | Green | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 22% | 8% | 9% | 14% | 28% | Green |
| 25-34 | 24% | 14% | 12% | 11% | 22% | Labour |
| 35-44 | 20% | 22% | 16% | 12% | 18% | Reform |
| 45-54 | 18% | 28% | 20% | 10% | 12% | Reform |
| 55-64 | 15% | 32% | 22% | 10% | 8% | Reform |
| 65+ | 14% | 35% | 28% | 9% | 5% | Reform |
Generational Divide: Analysis
The Youngest Voters: Green and Labour Territory
Among 18-24 year olds, the Green Party has surged to 28% — the highest of any party in any age group. Labour sits second on 22%, with the Liberal Democrats third at 14%. Reform UK scores a mere 8% among the youngest cohort, a figure that will concern Nigel Farage given the party’s reliance on older, culturally conservative voters.
The 25-34 bracket remains contested ground. Labour edges ahead on 24%, with the Greens close on 22%. Reform’s showing rises to 14% — a near-doubling compared to 18-24s — suggesting that economic concerns around wages and housing begin to shift younger voters rightward as they enter their late twenties.
The Pivot Generation: 35–44
Age 35-44 is the inflection point in UK politics. Reform UK narrowly leads on 22% — the first age group where they top the poll — with Labour falling to 20% and the Greens at 18%. This cohort came of political age during the 2008 financial crisis and stagnant wage growth of the 2010s, many shifting away from Labour allegiance toward anti-establishment alternatives.
Older Britain: Overwhelmingly Reform
Among 45-54 year olds, Reform dominates at 28%, ahead of Conservatives on 20% and Labour on 18%. The 55-64 group is starker: Reform 32%, Conservatives 22%, Labour only 15%. Among over-65s — the highest-turnout cohort — Reform leads at 35%, Conservatives on 28%, Labour reduced to 14%.
Since older voters turn out at significantly higher rates, this age gradient creates a structural advantage for Reform. Under First Past the Post, the concentration of Reform support among over-55s in Leave-voting English constituencies could translate into substantial seat gains without a plurality of the overall vote.
Related Demographic Breakdowns
Frequently Asked Questions
Which party leads among young voters in the UK?
Among 18-24 year olds, the Green Party leads at 28%, followed by Labour at 22% and the Liberal Democrats at 14%. Reform UK scores only 8% with the youngest voters — support concentrated among the over-55 population.
Why do older voters favour Reform UK?
Reform polls at 35% among over-65s and 32% among 55-64 year olds in May 2026. Older voters prioritise immigration control and national sovereignty — core Reform issues — while holding more sceptical views on climate policy and Net Zero commitments.
At what age does Reform begin to lead?
The 35-44 age bracket is the crossover point. Reform first leads on 22% in this cohort, narrowly ahead of Labour on 20%. Below this age, Labour or the Greens lead; above it, Reform dominates with increasing margins through to the oldest voters.